Islamabad: The Ministry of IT and Telecom marked a significant milestone with the award ceremony for the Up-Skilling Training Programme (USTP) under the National Semiconductor HR Development Programme (NSHRDP), known as INSPIRE. This initiative, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aims to cultivate a skilled workforce in the semiconductor industry and position Pakistan competitively in the global market.

According to Press Information Department, the programme has a budget of PKR 4.844 billion and is executed by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB). A formal contract for the USTP has been signed between Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI) University and NED University of Engineering and Technology to equip participants with specialized skills in semiconductor technologies, focusing on Digital Design and Verification.

The four-month training, starting in May 2026, involves GIKI conducting the training while NED University contributes to the broader objective of developing an industry-ready workforce. The award ceremony included senior leaders, such as the Chairman of the INSPIRE Project Steering Committee, Vice-Chancellor of NED University, and Rector of GIKI University.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, underscored the government’s commitment to empowering youth and facilitating their participation in high-tech industries. She stated that NSHRDP will help integrate Pakistan into the global semiconductor value chain. The Ministry continues to support the government’s digital economy agenda and the Prime Minister’s vision of Digital Nation Pakistan.